Paper dispenser



1955 5 E. s. TUTTLE 2,722,387

5 PAPER DISPENSER Filed May 28, 1952 IN V EN TOR.

fan/4 20 J." 77/7725 A TTi/VEX United States Patent PAPER DISPENSER Edward S. Tuttle, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to Harvell Manufacturing Corporation, Michigan City, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 28, 1952, Serial No. 290,424

Claims. (Cl. 242-55.3)

This invention relates to improvements in paper dispensers. More particularly, it relates to a device for dispensing paper or other sheet material of two dilferent types or from two different units, such as wax paper and paper towel materials.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel device of this character which can be used with equal facility to dispense paper of two different types when hung upon a wall or when supported upon a horizontal surface such as a table top.

A further object is to provide a novel and attractive device of this character which is strong, light in weight, and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide a novel device of this character for dispensing two types of paper, which is characterized by a pair of pivoted closures for access to the mounting means for the respective paper units, wherein each closure is pivoted at its lower end and has associated therewith means for retaining and positioning the free end of one paper web.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with a closure pivoted thereto at its lower end and having a laterally and upwardly extending free end portion which is overlaid by a plate member cooperating therewith to define a paper guide and pivoted at its lower portion to said closure, and wherein the lower edge of said plate member defines a cutting edge.

A further object is to provide a device for dispensing two types of paper, which is characterized by two paper guide passages arranged one above the other, in adjacent relation, with the uppermostpassage offset outwardly from the lower passage to facilitate grasping of a sheet projecting from the upper passage without interfering with a sheet within and projecting from the lower passage.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the device.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device with parts shown in vertical section and with the closure panels thereof closed.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the dispenser in empty condition and with its closure members in open position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the device taken on line 44 of Fig. 3 and illustrating paper rolls mounted therein.

Referring to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral designates a vertical rear panel, and the numeral 12 designates end panels. The panels 10 and 12 preferably are formed integrally. The top and front margins'of the panels 12 are preferably configured substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3, providing an upwardly and rearwardly curved edge 16 extending from the bottom of the panels 12 for the major portion of the height thereof. Each edge 16 may be defined for a part of its length by an inwardly return bent marginal flange 18 which preferably terminates spaced above the bottom edge of the panels 12 and spaced below the top end of the edge portion 16. Intermediate their height the front edges of the end walls 12 are outwardly offset at 20. A curved edge portion 22 extends from the outer edge of the offset 20 upwardly and rearwardly to the upper rear portion of each wall 12, said edge portion 22 preferably being defined at least in part by an inwardly return bent marginal flange 24. if desired, the upper and lower margins of the wall 10 may likewise be reinforced, as by the return bent marginal flanges 26. Thebottom of the container preferably is open as illustrated, although a bottom panel may be provided if desired.

Each of the end walls has secured thereto, as by means of rivets, welds or other securing means 28, an arcuate cradle member 30 having a depending flange 32 bearing against the end wall 12 and secured thereto by the securing means 28. The cradle 30 is preferably located adjacent the rear of each wall 12 and at a level adjacent the offset 20. This cradle constitutes means for rotatably supporting in the upper portion of the device a roll of sheet material, such as wax paper, whose opposite ends will bear upon the cradle surfaces 30 and which roll will preferably be of a length shorter than the spacing between the end walls 12 so that it may rotate freely.

A second roll support is provided in the lower portion of the container, as by means of arms 36 which may be formed integrally with the rear wall 10, as by slotting said rear wall to the outline of the arms desired, and then bending said arms forwardly out of the plane of the rear wall 10 to define two laterally spaced substantially parallel arm portions having some resiliency and extending in a substantially vertical plane. Adjacent its outer end, each arm 36 has a cup-shaped inward projection 38 of a size to fit rotatably and freely within a roll 40 upon which is wound paper 42, such as toweling. The arms 36 are so located that the roll 42 will be positioned entirely within the overall contour of the housing and will have clearance with the upper roll 34 and its supporting cradle members 30. The arms 36 will be located adjacent to but spaced from the end walls 12 as best seen in Fig. 4, and said arms will possess sufficient resilience to normally serve as means to journal the roll by positioning the cupshaped parts 38 thereof within the ends of the tube 40;

The front marginal portions of the end walls 12 are interconnected by a panel or feed bar 44. The panel 44 has a curvature conforming to the curvature of the lower part of the edge portion 22 so that it may lie flush therewith, and also is provided with a flange 46 which extends flush with the offset 20 in inward direction to terminate adjacent the upper end of the curved edge portions 16 of the end walls. The panel 44 preferably terminates at its upper end in a rolled or inwardly curled upper marginal portion 48 extending substantially full length thereof. At its opposite ends the panel 44 is provided with flanges 50 bent perpendicularly into substantially parallel planes and adapted to be riveted, welded or otherwise anchored in fixed face engagement with the end walls 12, preferably at the inner faces of said end walls. The curled edge 48 of the panel 44 preferably terminates in substantially spaced relation to the rear upper end of the curved edge portion 22 of the panels 12 and preferably above the forward ends of the cradle members 30, and thus accommodates insertion of the wax paper roll 34 into the container to be mounted upon the cradle 30, it being understood in this connection that the spacing between the edge 48 and the upper end of the rear panel 10 will be greater than the diameter of the wax paper roll 34.

An upper closure panel 52 spans the upper portion of the container and is curved to substantially conform to the contour of the curved portions 22 of the end panels 12. The closure panel 52 has end flanges 54 which are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the spacing of the outer surfaces of the end walls 12 so that said flanges may engage the outer surfaces of the end panels 12. The panel 52 extends from the upper rear part of the edge 22 forwardly and outwardly to, a point adjacent to but spaced slightly from the offset 20, thus overlying the panel 44. The'flanges 54 of the closure panel 52 project beyond the lower edge of the closure panel 52 and are pivoted to the end walls at 56 in such position as to hold the inner surface of the closure panel 52 spaced slightly from the outer surface of the feedbar or panel 44 and thereby provide a narrow paper guide passage for paper fed from the roll 34 extending around the curled edge 48 and bearing upon the feed bar 44.

The lower edge of the closure panel 52 is straight and sharp and constitutes a cutting edge to facilitate the tearing of the paper web. The closure panel 52 is preferably provided with one or more apertures 58 therein positioned above the feed bar 44 and constituting finger access openings in which the user may insert his finger to press upon the paper web and slide it downwardly along the surface of the feed bar 44 until a marginal portion of the paper web projects beyond the lower cutting edge of the closure panel to facilitate grasping of the paper web and further advance thereof to dispense a sheet of desired size. A sheet may be torn or severed by a pull upwardly thereon when the paper engages the tear edge. If desired, the closure panel 52 may have a longitudinal ridge 8 offset therefrom adjacent its lower cutting edge to reinforce the closure and the cutting edge. Also, if desired, the flanges 54 may have dimples 60 formed therein adapted to fit in dimples 62 formed in the end walls 12 to provide resilient positioning means which will snap into place and which will resist free opening of the closure panel. It will be understood, of course, that the use of such dimples is optional and is not required.

A second closure panel 70 of a configuration similar to the configuration of the edge portion 16 of the end walls spans said end walls. The closure panel 70 has marginal vertical flanges 72 and these are pivoted at 74 to the lower front corner portions of the end walls 12. In the preferred arrangement, the flanges 72 are spaced a distance greater than the spacing of the end panels 12 so as to be positioned externally thereof, whereby said flanges position said panel against lateral displacement. The upper free edge portion or margin of the panel 70 is bent or curled inwardly at 76 and is so spaced from the pivot axis 74 that, when the panel 170 is closed in the Fig. 2 position, said curled edge 76 is spaced a substantial distance below the flange portion 46 at the bottom of the feed bar 44. The flanges 72 are preferably provided with dimples 78 adjacent their upper ends which are adapted to interfit with dimples 80 formed in the end panels 12 and serving to lock the closure panel 70 in closed position to resist accidental opening of the closure panel.

A guide panel 82 has end flanges 84 spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing of the flanges 72 and projecting at one end beyond the end of the panel 82 for pivotal connection at 86 with the closure flanges 72 intermediate the height of said closure flanges. The spacing between the pivot axis 86 and the upper edge of the guide panel 82 is greater than the spacing between said pivot axis 86 and the curled portion 76 of the closure panel so that the upper marginal portion of the guide panel 82 extends adjacent to but preferably has a slight clearance with the ofiset flange 46, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, when said guide panel is in closed position. The pivot axis 86 is so located that a passage is provided between panel 82 and closure 70 accommodating a web leading from the roll 42 over the curled edge 76 and across the outer face of the upper portion of the closure panel 70 In other words, the guide. panel 82 7' serves to guide and retain said paper web after a portion projecting below the guide panel 82 has been torn along the lower edge of said panel which serves as a cutting or tearing edge. This tearing edge is located spaced slightly upwardly from the pivot axis 86 in the closed position of the parts so as to permit the guide panel 82 to be swung to an open position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, relative to the panel 70 to facilitate insertion of the web between these parts when the device is first being prepared for use. The guide panel 82 is preferably provided with a longitudinal rib 88 adjacent its lower margin, serving to rigidify the same at its cutting edge, and also is preferably provided with an aperture 90 adapted to receive the finger of the user and enable him to advance the web. so that the leading edge thereof may project below the guide panel to be grasped and pulled upon. The flanges 84 of the guide panel 82 may be provided with dimples 92 which will register with the dimples 78 and when the guide panel is closed and which serve to releasably hold the panel 82 in closed position, thus insuring the provision of desired clearance between the panels 70 and 82 at all points thereof and preventing a clamping action between the free end of the guide panel 82 and the adjacent portion of the closure panel 70.

The device is easily loaded by simply opening the panels 52 and 70, which panels may be opened simultaneously to facilitate access to both paper mounts 30 and 36, or one only of said closures may be opened. The rolls 34. and 42 may be mounted easily upon their respective carriers. The operation with respect to the loading and threading of the sheet from the roll 34 is to apply the leading margin of the sheet from the roll 34 supported on thecradle members 30 over the feed bar 44 while the closure panel 52 is held in open position to afford access to the feed bar 44. Thereupon the closure 52 may be swung to closed position and a narrow guide passage is thereby provided between the panel 52 and the feed bar 44 serving to retain the leading end of the web readily accessible to engagement by the finger of the user through the finger or access opening 58.

The operation of loading the paper towel roll 42 is slightly different in that the panel 70 is first swung to open position and the guide panel 82 is preferably swung to angular. relation to the panel 70, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The roll 42 is mounted upon the carrying arms 36 by engagement of the projections 38 in the ends of the bore through the roll and the leading end of the web is passed through. the opening. The panel 70 is then closed beneath the web so that the web passes through the slot or opening provided between the curled end 76 of the closure panel 70 and the inner end of the flange 46. The web is then positioned fiat upon the upper end portion of the outer surface of the panel 72 above the guide panel 82 when said guide panel is open, and thereupon said guide panel is swung to closed position as illustrated in Fig. 2. A passage is defined between the panels 70 and 82 which retains and guides the leading portion of the paper and prevents it from withdrawal into the interior of the container, just as the passage between the feed bar 44 and the upper closure panel 52 retains the leading end portion of the web from roll 34 to prevent it from retracting into the interior of the housing. The access or finger opening in the guide panel 82 affords access to feed the leading margin of the web to a position projecting below the closure panel at which it can be grasped by the fingers.

It will be observed that the mouths of the passage through which the respective webs or paper sheets are discharged are located at different elevations in the front portion of the container, both intermediate the height of the container. Also, both discharge mouths are located adjaeent to the. pivot axis of the member forming the outer. wall of the guide passage. These features are of substantial importance in the practical use of the device since they enable. dispensing of paper when the device rests upon a horizontal surface, such as a table top, as well as when the device is mounted at a wall to open or expose its lower portion. In other words, neither paper web is discharged through the bottom of the device, so that the dispensing or discharge of paper is not interfered with when the bottom edges of the device bear upon a supporting surface.

Another point of interest in this construction is the oifset at 20 which affords clearance, enabling the user to insert a finger between the back surface of the projecting portion of a web from the upper roll 34 and the front surface of the adjacent portion of the container. This, coupled with the vertical spacing of the mouths of the discharge passages, insures that a user who reaches for the upper web will not touch and interfere with the lower web or the portions of the container forming parts of the guide passage for the lower web.

Another matter worthy of note is that the guide panel 82 is positioned to extend upwardly and rearwardly from its pivot axis 86 in the normal position of the parts, since that, coupled with the fact that the tearing edge is located adjacent to its pivot axis, insures that tearing of a web will not displace or tend to open or release the guide panel 82 even though positioning or releasable locking means, of which the dimples hereinabove mentioned are examples, are omitted. The upward and rearward extension of the upper closure panel 52 relative to its pivot axis 56 affords the same advantages at the upper portion of the device.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A paper dispenser comprising a frame unit having back and end walls, a panel connecting portions of the front margins of said end walls intermediate the height thereof, a closure pivoted at its lower end to said unit adjacent the lower edge of said panel and substantially spanning the space between the upper ends of said panel and said back wall, said closure overlying and cooperating with said panel to define a paper discharge passage, a paper carrier mounted on said unit adjacent to said panel, a second closure pivoted adjacent the bottom thereof to said unit and terminating spaced from said panel,'a guide member pivoted adjacent its lower end to an intermediate portion of said second closure and overlying the upper portion of said second closure to define a second passage, and a second paper carrier mounted on said unit spaced below said first carrier.

2. A paper dispenser comprising a frame unit having back and end walls, a panel connecting portions of the front margins of said end walls intermediate the height thereof, a closure pivoted at its lower end to said unit adjacent the lower edge of said panel and substantially spanning the space between the upper ends of said panel and said back walls, said closure overlying and cooperating with said panel to define a paper discharge passage, a

paper carrier mounted by said unit adjacent to said panel, a second closure pivoted adjacent the bottom thereof to said unit and terminating spaced from said panel, a guide member pivoted adjacent its lower end to an intermediate portion of said second closure and overlying the upper portion of said second closure to define a second passage, and a second paper carrier mounted on said unit spaced below said first carrier, said panel including an inwardly directed flange at its lower end and said end walls having edges inset adjacent said flange to provide lateral clearance between a paper projecting from the mouth of said first passage and the upper portions of the guide member and lower closure.

3. A paper dispenser comprising a frame having back and end walls, paper carriers within said frame, a pair of closures cooperating to substantially close the top and front portions of said frame, said closures being pivoted at their lower ends to said frame, means cooperating with said closures to define vertically spaced paper discharge passages both having mouths located intermediate the height of said frame, the upper end of said lower closure being positioned spaced rearwardly and below the lower end of said upper closure and the mouth of the passage defined by said upper closure.

4. A paper dispenser comprising a frame having back and end walls, paper carriers within said frame, a pair of closures cooperating to substantially close the top and front portions of said frame, said closures being pivoted at their lower ends to said frame, means cooperating with said closures to define vertically spaced paper discharge passages both having mouths located intermediate the height of said frame, the adjacent portions of said closures being spaced to define a slot, the passage-defining means cooperating with said lower closure constituting a panel overlying the upper portion thereof and pivoted at its lower portion to said lower closure and projecting above the upper edge of said lower closure to at least partially close said slot.

5. A paper dispenser comprising a housing having a front access opening spaced below its top, a closure pivoted at its lower end to said housing to partially span said access opening with its upper edge spaced below the top of said opening, and a panel pivoted at its lower end to said closure intermediate the height of the closure, said panel overlying the upper part of said closure and projecting above the upper end of said closure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,029,490 Connors et a1 June 11, 1912 2,038,822 Bins Apr. 28, 1936 2,047,255 Colburn July 14, 1936 2,271,135 Crebbs Jan. 27, 1942 2,550,209 Tuttle Apr. 24, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 469,522 Great Britain July 27, 1937 206,041 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1939 

